[2021 Edition] Mechanical Watches "Grand Seiko's 8 New Models"

The state of emergency has been extended...

This time, I would like to introduce the new 2021 models from Grand Seiko , which have been very well received on YouTube and in my columns.

Since 1986, the brand has participated in Baselworld every year for over 30 years, but in 2019 it decided not to exhibit at the event. Since then, it has been announcing new products on its official website. Since February 12, 2021, this year's new models have been announced one after another in press releases, so we would like to introduce them to you.

The brand's introduction is available on YouTube, so I will skip it here. [2021 Edition: 8 Recommended Grand Seiko Models] Popular models from Japanese domestic brands that Japan is proud of around the world are gathered together! Domestic brands, don't let the coronavirus defeat you! This is what we will be streaming with that in mind.

Now, we will introduce Grand Seiko 's new models for 2021 in the order in which the press releases were released.

【table of contents】

Grand Seiko 's new models for 2021

New Model ① SLGH005 [Series 9]

This model follows the design established with the 44GS in 1967, but incorporates the Japanese sensibility that finds beauty in "the space between light and shadow" and "a shape that lets light flow beautifully."

This model is equipped with the Caliber 9SA5, a mechanical high-beat movement exclusive to Grand Seiko, which was launched in 2020. By adopting a dual impulse escapement (highly efficient escapement) and twin barrels (two power springs), it achieves a high beat of 36,000 vibrations per hour and approximately 80 hours of operation when fully wound. In addition, the unique horizontal gear train structure has made it possible to achieve a thin case (11.7 mm thick).

This Caliber 9SA5 was created by experienced watchmakers at the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, a workshop overlooking Mount Iwate. Near the Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, the manufacturing base for Grand Seiko mechanical watches, is one of Japan's leading areas for growing white birch trees, and the dial features a dynamic embossed pattern and delicate coloring to represent this magnificent birch forest.

What's great about Grand Seiko is that the movement, which can be seen through the case back, is finished with a design inspired by the nature of Shizukuishi. The "Shizukuishi River Finish" features a delicate striped pattern that represents the majestic flow of the Shizukuishi River, which changes with the seasons. This series, which is a legitimate evolution of the Grand Seiko design, will continue to be developed under the name "Series 9," so we're looking forward to it.

SLGH005

[Source] Grand Seiko

List price: 1,045,000 yen (tax included)

Release date: Saturday, March 6th

Four Seasons Dial

THE NATURE OF TIME

From here, we will introduce four Grand Seiko models that depict the four seasons of Japan on their dials.

This model is said to incorporate the Japanese view of nature, which is Grand Seiko 's brand philosophy of "THE NATURE OF TIME" and "the essence of time is with all things in the universe," into the watch. In Japan, where the year is divided into 24 equal parts, known as the 24 solar terms, and the subtle changes of the seasons are incorporated into daily life, there is a culture of reverence for nature and enjoying wabi-sabi, but Grand Seiko , which expresses the Japanese perception of beauty in its watches, stands out from other brands.

The movements are different: the Vernal Equinox and Little Heat are equipped with the automatic mechanical high-beat 36,000 "9S86," while the Cold Dew and Winter Solstice are equipped with the Spring Drive "9R66."

New Model② SBGJ251 [Elegance Collection Mechanical High Beat GMT Vernal Equinox]

As you know, the vernal equinox is the time when the length of day and night are almost equal, when cherry blossoms begin to bloom, and when spring truly arrives. It is also the season when trees that have endured the cold sprout and bloom, and the dial of this watch is designed with the image of mountain cherry blossoms starting to change color faintly in the mountains far from civilization.

The green dial is accented with a vivid pink gold GMT hand reminiscent of mountain cherry blossoms, making this a model that evokes the arrival of spring. Just like the Deep Forest SBDX021, which was called the Japanese green Submariner, Seiko's green is very deep and beautiful, so I would love to see an actual watch.

This model is equipped with the "Caliber 9S86," which adds a GMT function to the performance of the automatic mechanical high-beat 36000 movement, which is resistant to external influences and achieves high precision.

SBGJ251

[Source] Grand Seiko

List price: 814,000 yen (tax included)

Release date: Friday, May 28th

New Model ③ SBGJ249 [Elegance Collection Mechanical High Beat GMT Xiaoshu]

The "Shosho" model's dial design incorporates the image of constant ripples on lakes and ponds caused by the white south wind that blows after the rainy season under the early summer sun, when the rainy season ends and summer truly arrives.

The refreshing light blue dial represents the constant ripples caused by the southern wind, and its chic and elegant color makes it a very captivating face.

Like the Vernal Equinox model, this model is equipped with the "Caliber 9S86," which adds a GMT function to the performance of the automatic mechanical high-beat 36000 movement, which is resistant to external influences and achieves high precision.

SBGJ249

[Source] Grand Seiko

List price: 814,000 yen (tax included)

Release date: Friday, May 28th

New Model ④ SBGE271 [Elegance Collection Spring Drive GMT Kanro]

This model is inspired by the cold dew that accumulates on the plants and trees, making the mornings and evenings chilly and marking the full onset of autumn.

Freed from the hustle and bustle of summer and enjoying the calm of the long autumn nights, the black dial is designed to evoke a quiet, "good night," when the moon peeking out from behind herring clouds shines beautifully.The GMT hand is reminiscent of the glow of the moon peeking out from behind herring clouds, and evokes the image of the night passing quietly and slowly.

Looking at the black dial and GMT hand in the photo, I was suddenly reminded of an essay in Sei Shonagon's Pillow Book, in which she describes how the sounds of the wind and the chirps of insects that can be heard after the sun has completely set are also very charming.

This model is equipped with Seiko's proprietary "Spring Drive" mechanism, which combines the power of a mainspring watch with the precision of a quartz watch, and is characterized by its smoothly moving second hand.

SBGE271

[Source] Grand Seiko

List price: 726,000 yen (tax included)

Release date: Friday, September 28th

New Model ⑤ SBGE269 [Elegance Collection Spring Drive GMT Winter Solstice]

The winter solstice is the time of year when the daylight hours are the shortest, heralding the beginning of the bitterly cold winter. The white dial is reminiscent of a snowy field filled with silence, and the soft light of a warm, crimson sunset is expressed by the PG (pink gold) GMT hand.

The dial design, inspired by the image of a clear, snowy sunset after the snow has stopped falling and the penetrating silence and cold of the day, gives a different impression from the familiar snow-white dials of Grand Seiko .

SBGE269

[Source] Grand Seiko

List price: 726,000 yen (tax included)

Release date: Friday, September 28th

New Model ⑥ SBGC240 [Sport Collection]

Next up is the Spring Drive Chronograph GMT, released to celebrate the 140th anniversary of Seiko's founding, featuring a striking contrast between 18KYG (yellow gold) and lustrous black ceramic. This model is the first Grand Seiko to feature 18KYG (yellow gold) and a black bezel made of highly scratch-resistant zirconia ceramic, giving it a lustrous, intellectual look.

The polygonal yellow gold bezel is a dodecagon with 12 vertices located on the extension of the index, making it easy to read the time from any angle. The case is polished using Zaratsu polishing (a surface preparation technique that creates a distortion-free flat surface by rotating a circular base plate and pressing the case against it to smooth the surface), with a hairline finish on the top and a mirror finish on the sides, achieving the lean, bold shape and high-quality shine that is characteristic of Grand Seiko .

The gold-colored hour and minute hands and indexes on the black dial are highly visible, and the combination with the black bezel makes this a cool model. The push buttons made of 18KYG (yellow gold) have a comfortable clicking feeling, but have been made smaller in size to improve comfort and not hinder hand movement.

The combination bezel of 18KYG (yellow gold) and black ceramics on the SS (stainless steel) case gives this model presence, intelligence, and a sense of luxury. When it comes to combination models, most watches have 18KYG (yellow gold) in the middle of the bracelet, but this watch has stainless steel bracelet links, which reduces the gaudy look and makes it a relatively easy model to wear even for office workers.

SBGC240

[Source] Grand Seiko

List price: 2,090,000 yen (tax included)

Boutique and online pre-sale Release date: Thursday, June 10th

Boutique Grand Seiko Salon Release date: Friday, July 9th

New Model ⑦ SBGD207 [Heritage Collection]

This jewelry watch, released to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Seiko's founding, is based on the design theme of the mysterious Mishaka Pond in Okutateshina, Nagano Prefecture. It is manufactured at the Micro Artist Studio, a specialized workshop that handles complicated watches and the highest quality products based on Spring Drive. The Micro Artist Studio is one of the main workshops that make up the Shinshu Toki no Takumi Studio, and was established in 2000 within the Seiko Epson Corporation Shiojiri Plant for the purpose of passing on watchmaking skills.

The white mother-of-pearl dial, with its new green color reminiscent of the trees reflected in Mishaka Pond, the green garnets and the crocodile strap are striking. The minute scale is surrounded by 48 tapered baguette diamonds and 12 green garnets, which are set horizontally and without gaps in a circular pattern on the 18KWG (white gold) dial base. A total of 60 diamonds and green garnets are also placed around the outer periphery of the minute scale, and the crown is adorned with a brilliant-cut diamond. The green garnet at the 12 o'clock position is slightly wider than the others, making it easier to read the time, creating an elegant jewelry watch that is unique to Grand Seiko, combining practicality and elegance.

In addition, the case is made of rare platinum 950, which is 95% platinum, giving it a neat and beautiful edge. Its beauty and splendor are stunning, but the price is also eye-catching (lol). The Caliber 9R01 is a Spring Drive movement made by Micro Artist Studio, and while it has an average monthly accuracy of ±10 seconds (equivalent to a daily accuracy of ±0.5 seconds), it can run continuously for up to 8 days (approximately 192 hours).

SBGD207

[Source] Grand Seiko

List price: 22,000,000 yen (tax included)

Release date: Friday, May 21st

Limited quantity of 15 bottles

New Model 8: SLGH007 [Heritage Collection Series 9]

Finally, we will introduce a limited edition model from the new design series "Series 9," released to commemorate the 140th anniversary of Seiko's founding, which expresses the evolution of Grand Seiko, which inherits the founder Kintaro Hattori's beliefs of "always one step ahead of the times" and "don't rush, don't rest."

This model uses a dial that expresses the rings of a large cedar tree that grows over a long period of time at Shizukuishi Shrine, near Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, likening it to the tree rings that accumulate each year. The original and dynamic pattern was achieved by widening the height difference compared to conventional stamped patterns and applying fine grain processing to hundreds of places in the streamlined wood grain grooves.

The indexes are made by cutting out 18KWG (white gold), which is an elaborate design. The SD mark (Special Dial = a dial with a solid gold index) at the 6 o'clock position is what makes this model special.

The movement is the Caliber 9SA5, a mechanical high-beat movement exclusive to Grand Seiko that was launched in 2020. This next-generation movement adopts a dual impulse escapement (a highly efficient escapement) and twin barrels (two power springs) to achieve a high beat of 36,000 vibrations per hour, while achieving approximately 80 hours of operation when fully wound, and achieving a thin design thanks to its unique horizontal train structure. The Caliber 9SA5 is produced by experienced craftsmen at Grand Seiko Studio Shizukuishi, a workshop surrounded by rich nature and overlooking the majestic Mount Iwate.

The beliefs set forth by the founder at the time of the company's founding 140 years ago have been passed down uninterruptedly to this day in the brand philosophy and manufacturing of Grand Seiko . It harmonizes exquisitely with the PT (platinum) case, which is appropriate for a special model, creating a profound elegance.

SLGH007

[Source] Grand Seiko

List price: 6,600,000 yen (tax included)

Release date: Friday, July 23rd

Limited to 140 pieces worldwide

bonus

This time, as a final bonus, we will add one recommended Grand Seiko watch.

Recommended Model SBGN003 [Grand Seiko Sport Collection]

This model is equipped with the "Caliber 9F86," a new design to add GMT functionality to the "Caliber 9F," which was developed with the aim of creating the ultimate quartz movement. This model is part of the Grand Seiko Sports Collection, which allows you to enjoy a genuine sports design and the smart thinness (case thickness 12.1mm) typical of quartz watches, and the 39mm case size is also very convenient!

When adjusting the time in a time zone with a time difference, the hour hand can be adjusted without stopping the watch, providing the convenience of not losing the high accuracy of a quartz watch. The case design is simple, yet three-dimensional and thin, making it comfortable to wear. In addition, the screw-lock crown ensures high airtightness and waterproofness, and is durable enough to withstand tough use. The contrast between the striking orange GMT hand and the two-tone upper and lower dial rings makes it easy to tell whether the time indicated by the GMT hand is day or night.

This is a model I found when I was browsing the Grand Seiko Master Shop, and I thought, "Huh?! It looks like the Rolex Explorer II (lol)," as I picked it up. There are rumors going around that the Explorer II will be discontinued, but this SBGN003 is also a very well-made watch, so I think it would be a good choice for someone starting out in the workforce or as their first watch.

SBGN003